Exploratory Training Programs for Women Interested in the Skilled Trades Resources

SKILLED TRADES

Exploratory Training Programs for Women Interested in the Skilled Trades

Self-identifying women and those from equity-deserving groups have been historically under-represented in the skilled trades. With a looming labour shortage in Canada, the government, institutions, and employers are working together to create opportunities for women to explore career opportunities in the skilled trades. Below you will find a list of institutions across Canada that offer exploratory trades programs. Some programs have specific requirements applicants must meet and are located in specific provinces and territories. Additionally, some offer grants and financial support for students.

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Okanagan College – Gateway to the Building Trades for Women

Location: British Columbia

Okanagan College offers an all-women, 12-week exploratory program that introduces women to a variety of trades, safety training, job readiness skills, and professional development through a combination of in-class and in-shop experiences. Trades that participants will experience include carpentry, joinery, plumbing, electrical, and more. Okanagan College can provide sponsorship for trades training to eligible and selected women interested in a career in the trades.

Camosun College – Women in Trades Training

Location: British Columbia

Camosun’s Women in Trades Training career exploration programs expose women to different trades and career options, with a focus on safety, skills upgrading, and enhancing job readiness. Women experience hands-on learning opportunities, safety training, career mentorship, and site tours with industry employers. Women will also receive support to develop their resumes, practice for interviews, improve their job search skills, and enhance their team-building expertise. Camosun offers two different sponsorship avenues through their Women in Trades Training office.

Thompson River University – Women Exploring Trades

Location: British Columbia

Thompson River University (TRU) Women in Trades offers a thirteen-week exploratory program which includes hands-on projects, many tickets used in the trades field and more. This program allows women to participate in six different Red-Seal trade areas throughout the program: carpentry, electrical, mechanics, millwrighting, piping, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, welding, and work readiness skills. The goal is to allow successful candidates the opportunity to further enroll in a trades foundation or apprenticeship program and/or become employed as a registered apprentice in British Columbia. If you meet the program requirements, this course is fully funded, and the cost of tuition, tickets, personal protective equipment, tools, parking, and daycare top-off are provided.

BCIT – Trades Discovery for Women

Location: British Columbia

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Trades Discovery programs are practical and relevant training programs that prepare participants to successfully enter and complete trades/technical training or seek apprenticeship. Students gain hands-on experience in approximately 15 different trades disciplines. Some examples of activities are lay out and fabrication, general piping, framing, welding, wiring, and working on mechanical systems in automobiles, aircraft, and heavy equipment. BCIT Trades Discovery for Women has grants available to cover tuition, student fees, and most supplies.

College of the Rockies – Women in Trades Training

Location: British Columbia

College of the Rockies offers a tuition-free Women in Trades Sampler. Throughout the full-time, 12-week program, women can explore six different trades to find the one that is best suited for them. These include industrial mechanic (millwright), electrician, carpenter, piping trades, welder, and automotive. Through hands-on training in their trade shops, women discover what it is like to work in an industrial shop setting. The program also focuses on Occupational Health and Safety standards, Work Safe BC, and the apprenticeship system in BC. There will be worksite visits and guest speakers from a variety of trades to give you an opportunity to learn first-hand about the roles of a variety of trade workers.

Women Building Futures – Programs

Location: Alberta

Women Building Futures (WBF) offers programs and support services to help unemployed and underemployed women explore and connect to careers that pay above a living wage. Their employment training programs provide the introductory skills to begin a new career in areas where women have been historically underrepresented. WBF has a variety of scholarships, awards, and bursaries that are available based on achievement, academic excellence, financial need, and leadership. 

Saskatchewan Polytechnic - Women in Trades Exploratory

Location: Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Women in Trades Exploratory course is a hands-on career exploration course for women that offers an introduction to a variety of basic trade skills. Each workshop is led by a woman trades professional. The trades offered at the Regina campus are auto body, automotive service technician, carpenter, electrician, machinist, parts management technician, plumber, and welder. The trades offered at the Saskatoon campus are auto body, automotive service technician, agricultural equipment technician, carpenter, industrial mechanics (millwright), machinist, parts management technician, and welder/metal fabricator.

Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology - Women in Trades and Technology

Location: Manitoba

Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) offers a dedicated page as a one-stop shop to help women explore some of the exciting and rewarding career options for women in trades and technology and discover how MITT can help them achieve their goals through its many certificate and diploma programs.

The program is not specific for self-identifying women.

Humber - Pathways to The Skilled Trades

Location: Ontario

Pathways to the Trades is an 8-week program targeting individuals who are currently unemployed, interested in exploring the trades, and experiencing financial hardship. This specialized program has been designed to help individuals make a successful transition into the trades, whether they have completed high school or not. This will be achieved through a strong focus on developing individualized learning plans, advising, career exploration, and skill building. This program is funded by the Government of Canada.

The program is not specific for self-identifying women.
Financial hardship must be demonstrated.

George Brown College - Women Transitioning to Trades and Employment Program

Location: Ontario

George Brown College’s Women Transitioning to Trades and Employment (WTTE) is an innovative, integrated, and supportive training and employment preparation program for women and gender non-binary, trans, and 2-spirit peoples. WTTE is for women looking for stable employment, interested in the skilled trades, specifically in the construction and construction-related (professional, administrative, and technical occupations) sector and able to commit to a 12-week program. This program is designed to increase the number of people from under-represented groups entering and succeeding in the trades. This program is funded by the Province of Ontario.

Yukon University – Carpentry for Women

Location: Yukon

Yukon University offers a Carpentry Pre-apprenticeship program for women to learn carpentry theory and gain practical hands-on experience in a fun and supportive environment. The program will cover theoretical trade knowledge, which, together with hands-on shop experience, will enable students to go on to train for employment as capable and knowledgeable apprentices and entry-level workers in the trade.

Aurora College - Building Trades Helper

Location: Northwest Territories

Aurora College’s Building Trades Helper program is a 12-week program that will prepare students for entry-level employment opportunities in the construction industry. Students will learn basic construction, renovation, and maintenance tasks. These skills will enable students to assist tradespeople such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, drywallers, painters, and mechanical contractors.

The program is not specific for self-identifying women.

Nunavut Arctic College - Pre-Apprenticeship Trades Programs

Location: Nunavut

Nunavut Arctic College’s Trades training programs prepare graduates to fill exciting, high-paying jobs in a wide range of skilled trades careers. Students can explore pre-apprenticeship trades programs to become a carpenter, housing maintainer, oil heat systems technician (formerly oil burner mechanic), plumber, and electrician.

The program is not specific for self-identifying women.

Women’s Network PEI – Trade HERizons

Location: Prince Edward Island

Trade HERizons is a career exploration and college preparation program for women and gender-diverse people with a focus on exposure to trades and technology careers, enhancing essential skills, career exploration, and personal development. Participants experience hands-on learning opportunities with Holland College, meet mentors and tour with employers in the industry. Participants also enhance life skills and focus on labour market research, resumes, interviews, math, and team building. The program is funded by the Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture.

Women Unlimited – Career Exploration Program (CEP)

Location: Nova Scotia

The Women Unlimited Association programs are designed to assist diverse, unemployed, and underemployed women explore, prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment in the trades and technology fields. The Career Exploration Program is a free, 14-week program that allows women to explore their interests in the trades or technologies. Their programs offer a continuum of services from career exploration, support during trades and technology training, transitional services to support women as they move into the trades and technology workforce, and retention services so that women maintain employment in these fields.

Office to Advance Women Apprentices New Brunswick - Exploring the Trades

Location: New Brunswick

The Office to Advance Women Apprentices New Brunswick helps advance women in under-represented trades by creating ongoing support services for women seeking or already employed in the skilled trades. The office’s measurable outcomes will impact not only the trades industry but the lives of women who enter the trades, earn their Red Seal certification, and pursue a lifelong career of learning in a challenging industry, with wages and benefits to support their families. The office can assist women with career guidance, mentoring opportunities with tradeswomen, and networking.

Office to Advance Women Apprentices Newfoundland and Labrador - Exploring the Trades

Location: Newfoundland and Labrador

The Office to Advance Women Apprentices Newfoundland and Labrador helps advance women in under-represented trades by creating ongoing support services for women seeking or already employed in the skilled trades. The office’s measurable outcomes will impact not only the trades industry but the lives of women who enter the trades, earn their Red Seal certification, and pursue a lifelong career of learning in a challenging industry, with wages and benefits to support their families. The office can assist women with career guidance, mentoring opportunities with tradeswomen, and networking.

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